Improv Lab: Tackling Today’s Learning & Development Initiatives Key Insights & Takeaways March 4, 2019
Improv Lab Why we gathered
The goals of the half day session were to: •
Use SCW performers to bring real-life business challenges to life
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Generate ideas from abundance and validate new thinking
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Provide a space to share experiences and learn from peers
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Explore underlying root causes of common pain points and potential solutions
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Identify small changes that could make positive impacts on meeting and navigating business challenges
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Offer a glimpse of SCW thinking and approach to strategy, insights, creative and learning challenges
The Second City Works | Tackling Today’s Learning & Development Initiatives
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Assumptions Where we started
Shared Challenges: • Navigating change in the workplace
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Restructuring
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Merging teams
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Automating processes
Being all things to all people / Being stuck in the middle
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Having to act as a mediator
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Shifting or competing priorities
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Managing up & down
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Rapidly shifting priorities
The Second City Works | Tackling Today’s Learning & Development Initiatives
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Early Observations • Change causes frustration partially because of our desire to control it •
Need to recognize when things are changing for the better
The Second City Works | Tackling Today’s Learning & Development Initiatives
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Everything can’t be a priority
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Dealing with change is part of “Leader-ing”
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Exploration Where we went
Exploration – Group Breakouts Image Cards What image best captures an experience you recently had navigating change at work? Are you a Swiss army knife? Do you make lemonade? Or do you collect creepy dolls in baskets?
Takeaways •
The need for change comes fast, but actual change is slow
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In work there are big fires and everyday fires
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Sometimes things need to blow up and restructure
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In times of stress find the tool to make things happen
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All change can be positive if framed correctly + supported
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We need to step up + take initiative, even if we feel unprepared
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Leading by example is key
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Roles are fluid--fixer, listener, mediator, navigator, leader The Second City Works | Tackling Today’s Learning & Development Initiatives
Can we include images of a couple cards?
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Exploration (continued) Activated Storytelling Excerpts from the group conversations
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Identify when you’re being reactive; strive to be proactive
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Have regular check-ins with stakeholders Communicate up and down the chain Consistently provide transparency & context
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Learn from your competitors’ successes and mistakes
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Look at change as opportunity to grow professionally
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Focus on what you can control Teach yourself new systems and solutions Shift mindset and see positives
As your audience changes, so should your message
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Translate messaging to their ‘language’ Remember what’s important to them
The ultimate win is when people love to come to work! The Second City Works | Tackling Today’s Learning & Development Initiatives
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Exploration Takeaways • If something is not working, call it out •
Ex. “I don’t think you know how a bath works.”
• To deal with change you have to suit up and take action,
not just talk about it •
Ex. “Oh yeah, we’re merging… This is good rosé!”
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Use the suit you have
• Start with the “why?” and the “why now?” • Diversity helps a company adapt to change • Recognize the positives of change •
The Second City Works | Tackling Today’s Learning & Development Initiatives
Ex. “The grains are smaller than they were!”
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Ideation Where we want to go
Ideation Territories Explored •
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Suit up! Run toward change (Activity: Superhero)
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No sense trying to avoid it or minimize it
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Lead by example and take initiative
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See big picture
Transparency (Activity: Change Dial)
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Speak to the “why” as best you can
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Communicate early and often
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Trust & communication can ease change anxieties
Change is hard (Activity: Magic Machine)
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Keep the proper attitude when dealing with change
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Important to understand the underlying emotions
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Need to get everyone on the moving sidewalk
The Second City Works | Tackling Today’s Learning & Development Initiatives
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Ideation Some recurring themes from group reflection: •
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Something that’s true for the group •
Change is constant / normal / needed / the reality
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Getting in front of change is important
Something that’s true for you •
Remember to slow down & breathe
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Thriving on change & challenge it brings
Hashtags •
#ItIsInevitable
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#BeCalmAndLead
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#Re-Merge-itate
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#MakeLemonade
The Second City Works | Tackling Today’s Learning & Development Initiatives
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Conclusion What we learned
Key Takeaways & Moving Forward
The Second City Works | Tackling Today’s Learning & Development Initiatives
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We can’t control change, but we can control how we react to it
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Clarity and communication make difficult processes easier
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Don’t just leave a problem, come with a possible solution, and empower your team members to do the same
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Be holistically thoughtful
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View change as an opportunity, not a loss - suit up and take it on!
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Continue to build skills and keep evolving
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Step back, take a moment for yourself, breathe
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SCW Can Collaborate We want to hear from you! Please share any thoughts or feedback on the Improv Lab. We’d like to do more in the future, and we’re always looking to improve. And let’s talk if you’d like SCW to help you, your team or your organization deal with key challenges like navigating change, improving team collaboration or fostering better communication.
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Thank you!
Works@secondcity.com Follow us: @SecondCityWorks